Tuesday 29th October Ryder's Hill and Rainbows

A fantastic morning, much cooler and more typical for the time of year.  Low strong sunshine with clear views and lots of heavy showers all around... and lots of rainbows.

Starting from Venford Reservoir...

 ...and almost immediately we caught the first shower - with Sharp Tor and Corndon Tor behind.

Our route took us over Holne Moor - Holne Ridge is in the distance.

Looking over to Haytor Rocks and Rippon Tor.

 Ahead was Horn's Cross but we didn't go there today.

Back to Sharp Tor with Chinkwell and Honeybag Tors.

 Terry checks out a boundary stone.














Combestone Tor below and Fernworthy Forest in the distance.

Upwards.

A Tornado was skimming the Tors and a low flying Hercules came from below the horizon.

 Surprising how wet the moor has become again in just a few weeks.

   On to the top of Ryder's Hill....

 ...with Red Lake in the distance.

Dramatic skies in every direction.

Over to the Girt just above Mardle Head.

The valley down...

... Hapstead Ford

Looking back up the valley.

Back over Snowdon.

 Venford Reservoir comes into view with a beautiful strong rainbow.

Then just to finish a double rainbow.

On the the Forest Inn - with Terry and Rosemary.

Wednesday 3rd July Ryders Hill

A cool evening as we set off around the reservoir, going into the footpath that runs around the edge of the water and coming out at the far end...

 ...near a hole made by a tunnel spider with his sticky stuff all around to trap his prey...

Looking across to Yar Tor and Corndon Tor (right) and Longaford Tor (left)...

...and over the Reservoir with Chinkwell and Honeybag Tor in the distance.

We headed over the moor which apart from the old mine workings is a fairly featureless area. There are fewer tors on the southern part of the moor, just gently up and down.  In the mine workings this mountain ash tree had fallen on its side and was supported by it own branches.

In the distance the cloud started to come in.

Then this beautiful area of bog cotton as we went down to...

Hapstead Ford and took our break.

Next we headed up the valley through the tin workings to the ridge in the distance.

To the top of Ryders Hill as the cloud and mist came in.

From here it was about an hour to get back to the cars.  This was a superb walk with Dartmoor in its most 'moody' of moods.

With Jon, John, Mike and Tom